Simon Holmes a Court showcases the Hepburn Wind farm project which came into fruition due to the community’s desire to establish a community owned wind farm that would help match the electricity needs of the Hepburn Shire, and thus the Hepburn Wind Farm Project was born. Since then the project has progressed through the necessary stages of development, from preliminary site analysis through the Council planning process and now has a secure planning permit. And during the course of the project, the Wind Park has gained increasing support in the Hepburn Shire community.

Ken Guthrie represents an initiative by Sustainability Victoria in developing a concept called Smart Energy Zones. A Smart Energy Zone aims to promote energy generation closer to where it is consumed, enabling individuals and local communities to take ownership of and manage their own energy supply. Using a combination of localised supply and demand energy solutions, communities can dramatically and cost-effectively reduce their greenhouse intensity.

Jason Cox represents the Moreland Energy Foundation and introduces their new Green Town Project. The Green Town project, run in partnership with Environment Victoria is funded by the Victorian Government Sustainability Fund and will train local members from the Arabic, Assyrian and Chaldean communities to conduct environmental audits for 70 households and 15 businesses in Moreland. Other aspects of the project include the development of English as second language (ESL) materials so that environmental issues are integrated into classroom teaching in neighbourhood houses and community learning centres, as well as a range of workshops and other environmental initiatives.

Marie Andrews represents Kildonan Uniting Care whose aim is to empower people to improve their lives, through the provision of effective community services and addressing issues of social and economic hardship. One of their projects is to advise to households to manage their energy demands to reach both social and environmental goals.

Faye Adams represents the Manningham City Council whose policy statements include a vision in developing a sustainable city. They aim to tackle the issue of climate change through: reducing household waste, installing water tanks and adopting energy efficiency programs.

Michael Ambrose, from CSIRO, presents the Zero Emissions Home Project, where they aim to envision and build houses with zero net emissions of green house gases. The project is a collaboration between Sustainability Victoria, Henley Properties Group, and Delfin Land Lease.

Dr Ralph Horne is the Director of the Centre for Design at RMIT University. The Centre for Design promotes sustainability through research, consulting, and capacity building through active dissemination and professional development. They are recognised internationally for our innovative design methods and tools to support sustainable design of products and services – everything from packaging and consumer products to buildings, suburbs and cities.

Andrew Lawson represents MBD Energy Limited and presents a different solution to the problem of climate change. MBD Energy (formerly MBD Biodiesel Ltd) is utilising private equity to develop an algae feedstock based on the key ingredients of waste CO2, derived from gas or coal fired power stations and, where available, nutrient enriched surplus waste water. Their approach has the potential to provide a viable approach to coal flue gas sequestration (the removal of carbon from the energy system) by actively providing a cycle for carbon to be reintroduced or re-absorbed into the energy cycle. The project has the potential to significantly mitigate the climate change potential presented today by Australias power stations.

Brad Shone is from the Moreland Energy Foundation, who are committed in encouraging community action on greenhouse gas emissions. They work with the Moreland community in Melbourne to help people in all walks of life to make informed energy smart lifestyle choices. Some of the programs they are involved in are: solar bulk buying programs and providing workshops to educate the community on the effects of climate change and empowering people with the knowledge to make a difference.

Lincoln Smith, Founder of Growlocal, seeks to localise food production by sharing food. He seeks to add passion, culture and connectivity from individuals to formulate a model that will increase the sustainability of food produce. GrowLocal is an online food swapping websit that reduces food waste.